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Calendar No. 403. 

63d Congress, ) SENATE. \ Report 

M Session. \ ( No. 471. 

COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 



A.PRIL 30, 1914 .—Ordered to be printed. 



Mr. Root, from the Committee on the Librar}^, submitted the 

following 

REPORT. 

[To accompany S. 3662.] 

The Committee on the Library, to which was referred the bill 
(S. 3662) entitled "A bill to promote the erection of a memorial in 
conjunction v.'ith the celebration cf the centenary cf the Battle of 
Plattsburgh, during the year nineteen hundred and fourteen, in com- 
memoration of the one hundredth anniversary of Macdonough's 
yictory in the nayal battle fought in the War of Eighteen hundred and 
twelve, the last naval engagement between English-speaking peoples," 
reports that it has considered the same and reports the following 
substitute bill with recommendation that said substitute bill be 
referred to the Committee on Appropriations and that the same be 
included in the sundry civil bill and passed. Said substitute bill 
reads as follows: 

A BILL To promote the erection of a memorial in conjunction with the celebration, during the year nine- 
teen hundred and fourteen, of the centenary of the Battle of Plattsburgh on land and on lake in com- 
memoration of the one hundredth anniversary of Macdonough's victory in the last naval engagement 
between English-speaking peoples. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America 
in Congress assembled, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the 
Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $250,000 (out of 
which, as hereinafter provided, the sum of $15,000 is to be paid to the commission 
appointed by the State of Vermont) toward the erection of a memorial and in aid of 
the celebration during the year nineteen hundred and fourteen, at Plattsburgh, New 
York, in conjunction with the centenary of the Battle of Plattsburgh on land and lake 
and in commemoration of the victory of Commodore Thomas Macdonough on Lake 
Champlain, the same to be disbursed by the centenary commission appointed by the 
State of New York. 

Sec. 2. That the President is hereby authorized to appoint three citizens of the 
United States as commissioners of the said centenary celebration, who shall serve 
without pay, but who shall t« reimbursed and paid out of the money herein appro- 
priated for their actual and necessary expenses in attending their official duties, of 
whom one shall be chosen from the Army and one from the Navy to represent the 
National Government in the proposed celebration and in the erection of the proposed 
memorial in conjunction with the commissioners representing the State of New York. 



2 COMMEMOEATIOX OF THE BATTLE OF PLATTSBUEGH. 

Sec. 3. That the making of the appropriation provided for in section one of thi? 
act shall in no way operate, by implication or otherwise, to require the United Slates 
to incur any further debt or obligation in connection with the erection of such memori?. I 
or in connection with said centenary celebration. 

Sec. 4. That the money appropriated by this act shall be paid out on the ordf-. uf 
the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States from time to time to the treafciiicr 
of the organization engaged on the part of the State of New York in the erection of 
said memorial and in promoting and holding the said centenary celebration, anti, un 
said Secretary being satisfied, the money appropriated will be disbursed for the obje i s 
uses, and purposes expressed in section one of this act, and as hereinafter speciri '1: 
Provided, That no part of the sum hereby appropriated shall be available for the -;iid 
centenary celebration of said Battle of Plattsburgh until the State of New York .-li.ill 
have appropriated the sum of |125,000 for purposes specified in section one of tliis 
Act: And provided further, That said centenary commission appointed by the i^v.W: 
of New York shall pay out of said appropriation of $250,000 the sum of $15,000 to tu 
commission appointed by the State of Vermont in aid of the celebration and erec uon 
of a suitable memorial in said State as contemplated in the act of the Legislature («; 
the State of Vermont making an appropriation therefor. The provisions of seciioiir 
two and three of this Act shall apply also to the appropriation herein made for the SuUe 
of Vermont with like force and effect as though as to such appropriation the words 
"the State of Vermont" appeared in the last line of section two in lieu of the won!-' 
"the State of New York. " 

The printed report of the hearing before a subcommittee of ihi. 
committee, held March 12, 1914, Senator Lea presiding, is attacluM? 
to and made a part of this report. 



0. OF S. 






HEARmG BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE 

COMMITTEE 01^ THE LIBRARY, UNITED STATES SENATE 

SIXTY-THIRD CONGRESS, ON S. 3662 

A BILL TO PROMOTE THE ERECTION OF A MEMORIAL IN CONJUNC- 
TION WITH THE CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE 
BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH DURING THE YEAR 1914, IN 
COMMEMORATION OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVER- 
SARY OF MACDONOUGH'S VICTORY IN THE NAVAL 
BATTLE FOUGHT IN THE WAR OF 1812, THE 
LAST NAVAL ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN 
ENGLISH-SPEAKING PEOPLES 



THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1914 



CONTEI^TS. 



Siiitemeut of — 

William P. Dilliugliam 6 

Frauklin D. Roosevelt "J" 

Fi-aucis L. Stetsou 8 

George W. Stoue 17 

Thomas F. Conway 18 

i'ljink L. Greene 20 

Kev. John P. Chidwick 22 

Howard D. Hadley, presents letters 23 

Senator Elihu Root, letters to 24 

Senator James A. O'Gorman, letters to 25 

4 



COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 



THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1914. 

United States Senate, 
Subcommittee of Committee on the Library, 

Washington^ D. G. 

The subcommittee met at 10.45 o'clock a. m., pursuant to the call of 
the chairman. 

Present: Senator Lea (chairman). 

Also present: Hon. William P. Dillingham, United States Sen- 
ator from Vermont; Hon. Carroll S. Page, United States Senator 
from Vermont ; Hon. Frank L. Greene, a Representative in Congress 
from the State of Vermont ; Hon. Peter G. Ten Eyck, a Representa- 
tive in Congress from the State of New York; Mr. Francis Lynde 
Stetson, 15 Broad Street, New York City, chairman Plattsburgh 
Centenary Commission; ex-Lieut. Gov. Thomas F. Conway, 32 Nas- 
sau Street, New York City, vice chairman Plattsburgh Centenary 
Commission; Salvatore A. Cotillo, 273 Pleasant Avenue, New York 
City, member Plattsburgh Centenary Commission; John Dorst, jr., 
Akron, Erie County, N. Y., member Plattsburgh Centenary Com- 
mission; Joseph S. Esquirol, 25 Crooke Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., 
member Plattsburgh Centenary Commission; Hon. Franklin D. 
Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C, mem* 
ber Plattsburgh Centenary Commission; Very Rev. John P. Chid- 
wick, D. D., St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, N. Y., president of the 
Catholic Summer School of America, member of Plattsburgh Cen- 
tenary Commission; Henry W. Hill, 471 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, 
N. Y., member Plattsburg Centenary Commission; Howard D. Had- 
ley, assistant secretary Plattsburgh Centenary Commission; Platts- 
burgh, N. Y., also representing Trades and Labor Assembly of 
Plattsburgh; Jay A. Freeman, Plattsburgh, N. Y., president cham- 
ber of commerce; W. H. Goff, mayor of Plattsburg, N. Y. ; W. E. 
Parkhurst, ex-president chamber of commerce, Plattsburgh, N. Y. ; 
Edwin G. Moore, president Young Men's Christian Association, 
Plattsburgh, N. Y. ; Elmer F. Botsford, president Clinton County 
Agricultural Society, Plattsburgh, N. Y. ; George W. Stone, presi- 
dent Vermont-Macdonough Memorial Commission, Vergennes, Vt. ; 
John Donnelly, Vergennes, Vt. ; Rev. L, A. Vezina, president board 
of trade, Vergennes, Vt. ; Millard F. Barnes, Chimney Point, Vt. ; 
Col. Charles D. Booth, Washington, D. C. ; Henry K. Averill, Wash- 
ington, D. C. ; Henry A. Macomb, Philadelphia, Pa., grandson of 
Gen. Alexander Macomb, commander of American land troops at 
Plattsburgh Battle; Charles A. Murray, New York City, secretary 
Catholic Summer School of America; Charles A. Barnard, city 



6 COMMEMOEATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBUKGH. 

judge, Plattsburgh, N. Y. ; Senator Eobert AV. McCuen, Vergennes, 
Vt., secretary Vermont-Macdonough Commission; Ira A. Rowlson, 
Plattsburgh, N. Y.; John S. McDowell, Plattsburgh, N. Y.; P>ank 
K. Ryan, Plattsburgh, N. Y. 

The Chairjian. The committee has assembled this morning for tlje 
purpose of considering Senate bill No. 3662, which is as follows : 

[S. 3662, Sixty-third Congress, second session.] 

A BILL To provide the erection of a memorial in conjunction with the celebration of the 
centenary of the Battle of Plattsburgh, during the year 1914, in commemoration of the 
one hundredth anniversary of Macdonough's victory in the naval battle fought in the 
War of 1812, the last naval engagement between English-speaking peoples. 

Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States 
of America in Congress assemhled, That there is hereby appropriated, out of 
any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, 
the sum of $250,000 toward the erection of a memorial in commemoration of the 
victory of Commodore Thomas Macdonough on Lake Champlain and in aid of 
the celebration of the centenary of the Battle of Plattsburgh, to be held during 
the year 1914 at Plattsburgh, N. Y., the same to be disbursed by the centenary 
commission appointed by the State of New York. 

Sec. 2. That the President is hereby authorized to appoint three citizens of 
the United States as commLssioners of the said centenary celebration, who shall 
serve without pay, but who shall be reimbursed and paid out of the money 
herein appropriated for their actual and necessary expenses in attending their 
official duties, of whom one shall be chosen from the Army and one from the 
Navy, to represent the National Government in the proposed celebration and in 
the erection of the proposed memorial in conjunction with the commissioners 
representing the State of New York. 

Sec. 3. That the making of the appropriation provided for in section 1 of 
this act shall in no way operate, by implication or otherwise, to require the 
United States to incur any further debt or obligation in connection with the 
erection of such memorial or in connection with said centenary celebration. 

Sec. 4. That the money appropriated by this act shall be paid out on the 
order of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States from time to time 
to the treasurer of the organization engaged in the ei-ection of said monument 
"hnd in promoting and holding the said centenary celebration, and. on said secre- 
tary being satisfied, the money appropriated will be disbursed for the objects, 
uses, and purposes expressed in section 1 of this act: Provided. That no iiart 
of the sum hereby appropriated shall be available for the said centenary cele- 
bration of said Battle of Plattsburgh until the United States commissioners 
are satisfied that a sufficient sum has been appropriated by the State of New 
York for that purpose, including the amount hereby appropriated, for the com- 
pletion of said memorial. 

Senator Dillingham, have 3^011 anyone you care to present to the 
committee ? 

STATEMENT OF HON. WILLIAM P. DILLINGHAM, A UNITED 
STATES SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF VERMONT. 

Senator Dillingham. Mr. Chairman, this movement was inaugu- 
rated in the State of New York, and the bill which is before you 
recognizes the New York scheme. Vermont simply asks to be let 
into it, and in an informal conference had this morning between 
the Vermont representatives here and the New York representa- 
tives, I think they have come to a full agreement as to the terms on 
which they shall come in. There is a perfect sentiment of mutuality 
between the two States. The fact that this battle originated in both 
States equally allots our claims, although Vermont's claims are not as 
great as what New York asks for in the bill. I think the New York 
delegation want to present to the committee in concise form the 



COMMEMOEATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. T 

scheme, the origin of it and the importance of it, and what they hope 
to accomplish, and when that is done the Vermonters will be very 
glad to speak their part in the matter, their interest in the matter. 
I doubt not that the two committees will be able to suggest to the 
committee any amendment they may like to add to the measure. I 
suggest that the New York delegation would like to present the claims 
of New York to the committee so that Congress may have the benefit 
of the information they have gathered. 

The Chairman. We will be very glad indeed to hear any repre- 
sentative of either or both States. I regret that all the members of 
the subcommittee are not able to be here this morning, but we have 
an official reporter so that the hearing will be laid before not only 
the subcommittee but the full committee. I will have to ask that the 
hearing be limited to one hour, as I have an engagement which I 
will be obliged to meet at 12 o'clock. 

Mr. Stetson. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt will be the first 
speaker. 

STATEMENT OF HON. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, ASSISTANT 
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. 

Mr. Roosevelt. Mr. Chairman, I appear here in a dual capacity; 
in fact, a triple capacity. I happen to be the person in the Senate 
of the State of New York who introduced the original resolution 
calling for the appointment of a committee of the senate and house 
of the State to make a report on the advisability of celebrating the 
centenary of the Battles of Lake Champlain, meaning by that the 
naval battle on the Lake and also the land battle which went on 2 
miles away, simultaneously. That committee reported in favor of a 
celebration on a national scale, and as a result a commission has been 
appointed in the State of New York and it has hoped at this session 
of the legislature to obtain an appropriation of $125,000 for that 
celebration from the State of New York. I think, from information 
I have, that there is absolutely no question but that it will go through 
the legislature and will be signed by the governor. 

I also appear here — and I think I can properly — as a representa- 
tive of the Navy Department, to state to the committee that the cele- 
bration of that battle is of real interest to that branch of the service. 
Every naval officer, every person Avho has been connected with the 
Navy, is interested in the Battle of Lake Champlain. They are par- 
ticularly interested in it because of the fact that it is conceded by all 
naval historians — in fact, by all historians of every kind, I think- 
that the Battle of Lake Champlain. the naval battle of Lake Cham- 
plain, was probably the gi-eatest feat of arms that our Navy achieved 
in the War of 1812. We have all heard, of course, a great deal 
about the Battle of Lake Erie, and I do not for a moment want to 
discredit the plaudits which Perry and his officers received in that 
battle, but I think it is fair to state that perhaps the reason why the 
American people to-day do not know as much about the Battle of 
Lake Champlain as they do about the Battle of Lake Erie is because 
of several very self-evident reasons. The first is that the Battle of 
Lake Erie contains several picturesque features, such as the moving 
of the American commander from his own ship after it was in a sink- 
ing condition, practically, to another ship in a small boat. Another 



8 COMMEMOEATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 

reason is that that battle was the first victory that we ever obtained 
over Great Britain in that war in which a fleet was engaged on both 
sides. The second battle in which two fleets were engaged was the 
Battle of Lake Champlain, but it came after the first battle, and did 
not get perhaps the same applause as if it had been the first. 

I drew the parallel last night in talking to Gov. Conway as to 
what would have happened to this country in 1898 if the Battle of 
Santiago had been fought on May 1 and the Battle of Manila Bay 
had been fought July 3. The chances are that the Battle of Santiago 
would have aroused the American people to the same pitch of ex- 
citement that the Battle of Manila Bay did. Probably the relations 
of the two battles would have been exactly changed. The impor- 
tance of the Battle of Lake Champlain historically is, of course, very 
great. It is more important historically than the Battle of Lake 
Erie. I think that is conceded by all. In our War of 1812, as in the 
Revolution, the weakness of the United States from the military 
point of view was the line of cleavage running down from Lake 
Champlain and Lake George to the headwaters of the Hudson and 
then to 'New York. In the Revolution, Burgoyne attempted to effect 
the cleavage right down through the center of the country. New 
York was in the possession of the British and Burgoyne was luckily 
stopped only a few miles before the British fleet, which had sailed up 
the Hudson. Again, in 1814, a definite attempt was made by the 
British to force that same line of cleavage. It is a historical fact 
that when the news of the Battle of Lake Champlain reached Eng- 
land about the 1st of November, 1814, it had a distinct effect on the 
British attitude toward a termination of the war. The commis- 
sioners were about to meet. If the British troops had obtained a 
victory on the land at Plattsburgh and the British fleet had been vic- 
torious, the British and the Canadians would have had access to 
Lake Champlain, Lake George, and the upper waters of the Hudson. 
The treaty of peace would probably have been far more difficult to 
secure if they had won. I hope very much that the committee w41l 
see fit to make this a national celebration. It should be a national 
celebration. Two States at least are intimately connected with it, but 
more than that, every State in the Union at that time was intimately 
connected with it, because it brought very largely to a close our last 
war with Great Britain. I believe that the expenditure of this 
money by Congress could not be considered a wasteful or extravagant 
act. To my mind that kind of expenditure does a vast amount of 
good all through the country. 

STATEMENT OF MR. FRANCIS LYNDE STETSON, CHAIRMAN 
PLATTSBURGH CENTENARY COMMISSION. 

Mr. Stetson. Mr. Chairman, as chairman of the Plattsburgh 
Centenary Commission it becomes my duty to make a few remarks 
to you in behalf of the bill before the committee. We are here ap- 
pealing to the patriotic sons of the entire country to commemorate 
an event which is of national importance, and certainly the chairman 
of this committee — coming from the State which furnished the hero 
and the man who fought the next battle after this. New Orleans, 
which I trust also will be appropriately commemorated — should be 
interested. There we will celebrate the event and the man, but we 



I 



COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 9 

will not celebrate the consummation of that event, because this was 
after the declaration of peace and after the treaty of peace was 
signed, but not known, because of the lack of speedy communication 
between England and America, The treaty of peace had been signed 
on Christmas eve, 1814, and the Battle of New Orleans was fought on 
the 8th of January, 1815, so those gallant lives were lost and that 
brilliant achievement made to the imperishable glory of the Ameri- 
can people but without immediate consequence upon the events of the 
war between the two countries. That had already been decided. 
And what had decided it? This Battle of Plattsburgh, not the 
Battle of Lake Erie, because the war had continued for one year 
and three months after the Battle of Lake Erie. It was decided by 
the Battle of Plattsburgh, and for proof of that I appeal to the cor- 
respondence between Lord Bathurst and Lord Castlehurst, in which 
Lord Bathurst distinctly said that their plans had been entirely 
changed by those methods. 

Now, what were those plans? It is not generally understood or 
known that that was in our moment of weakness. Our war had, up to 
that time, with the exception of a few individual acts of bravery, 
been one that was full of causes of mortification to our Nation, and 
our weakness had been shown at a time when England was weak, but 
now the revelation of that weakness was a great risk, because Eng- 
land had become strong. With the unexpected termination of the 
Napoleonic wars and the destruction of Napoleonic supremacy 
through the battles of Leipzig and Dresden in 1813, the English 
forces had been released, and they were prepared to continue the 
course they had already begun of sending their army to this country, 
and so confident were they at that time that now they must succeed 
completely in overcoming the United States that they were alread}' 
engaged in arranging the terms of peace and the conditions of peace, 
and those conditions were far enough known to be a matter of con- 
sideration in this countr^^ 

The serious consideration was this: The British Government con- 
sidered itself under obligations to the Indians and Tecumseh and 
his associates who had rendered them great assistance and had ren- 
dered us great annoyance, incidentally electing William Henry Har- 
rison President of the United States because of his victory over 
Tecumseh. Owing to that assistance the British people felt that they 
must do something for the Indians and incidentally something for 
themselves, and the combined purpose found its outlet in the project 
of creating what is now the State of Indiana, with portions of Illinois 
and Ohio, as a neutral State which should be set apart for the Indians 
and which should be under the control of the Indians. Now, that was 
what was threatening this country. We may laugh at it now, but 
then it was no laughing matter. It was then seriously under con- 
sideration. 

Now, what was it that stopped that project? The thing that 
stopped it, as Lord Bathurst's correspondence shows, was this vic- 
tory in that bay. which is shown in this picture that I have here. 
He writes that " while we were expecting everything it looks now. in 
view of this late unfortunate occurrence on Lake Champlain. that we 
shall obtain nothing." When the Duke of Wellington was appealed 
to for advice, he declared, that, upon the l)est information received, 
they were not able to make good their entry to that territory. Now, 



10 COMMEMOEATIOX OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURCiU. 

that news reached England about the loth of October and the treaty 
■was signed on Christmas eve. and that thing was accomplished l)e- 
cause of this battle. Therefore, as Admiral Mahan said, " this, more 
than any other, may be called the decisive battle of this war." There 
was no further naval engagement. There was an engagement the 
very next day at Baltimore, when the British troops, after burning 
the Capitol at Washington, went to Baltimore and made an attempt 
at Fort McHenry. which resulted in that glorious ode. our National 
anthem, Francis Scott Key's '' Star Spangled Banner.'' If you take 
away the Star Spangled Banner there will not be much to celebrate 
of what happened in Baltimore. Still, he wrote the Nation's song, 
and it is worth it. All that it cost and all that you choose to give 
to Baltimore is properly given in recognition of that patriotic spirit 
which stimulates American character wherever it goes. 

Now, I have endeavored briefly to show the importance of the 
event. I would like noAv to call your attention to the thrilling char- 
acter of the scene itself. It appeals to me. because I was born there 
and my grandfather fought in that battle. I knew many of its sur- 
vivors. Here on this map you will find the historic bay; here is 
the Saranac River entering the bay. This [indicating] is sometimes 
called Plattsburgh Bay. but generally Cumberland Bay. At that 
time the little town of Plattsburgh had a population of about 2,500. 
whereas it now has a population of 10.000. The frontier may be 
represented by the top of the map. Sir George Prevost, with 13,000 
of Wellington's veterans, had arrived in July or August and pro- 
ceeded up the St. Lawrence River to Quebec, and then marched 
down these two roads, down to Avhat is loiown as Dead Creek. They 
came in two battalions. This battle was fought on Sunday, Sep- 
tember 11. Five days before that, one column of Prevost's army, 
upon the 6th of September, had reached Culvers Hill. The other 
column was marching down at the left. Reaching there they were 
resisted. They Avere in charge of Lieut. Col. Willington, who was 
a cousin of the Duke of Wellington. They were resisted by a group/ 
of our people, our ancestors, in arms. 

Five days before the battle Gen. Ralph Izard, against his pro4 
test, had been sent away with 10,000 troops to Oswego, leaving a v 
few thousand men under the gallant Macomb, whose grandson is 
here to-day. to stand against these 13,000 troops of Prevost. They 
were rallied and added to by the general accessions of the country 
people back of the lake and from the south until there were about 
5.000 or 6.000 coming to meet the advance. Gen. John Wool, whon: 
I knew to be one of the bravest of our men, was then a captain ir 
charge of another column. They resisted the advance of the troops 
under Lieut. Col. Willington, and he was killed, and they fell bact 
to Halseys Corner, where they made another stand, and then again 
fell back. Here [indicating on map] they made another stand, 
where Gen. Brown had erected three forts, and there, Prevost not 
finding the support from his fleet as yet, they rested. In the subse- 
quent endeavor to cross the river there was such a controversy that 
that river has ever since been known as the Bloody Saranac, because 
it was dyed wath the blood of the people who perished there. 

Now, we pass to what has happened. In the summer of 1813 
Lieut. Smith, having taken two of the vessels that Macdonough had 
provided, went down to Isle aux Noix, and there suffered a repulse, and 



COMMEMORATIOX OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 11 

his two boats were lost, captured by the British. One of them, the 
hirgest, which formed a part of the fleet, was commanded by Capt. 
Downie. He proceeded up the lake, and at 9 o'clock on Sunday, 
September 11, 1814, rounded Cumberland Head and came to where 
you see the red ships on this map. There is present this most ad- 
mirable gentleman, Mr. Averill, whose father was mentioned in the 
resolution thanking those gentlemen for their part of the battle, and 
giving the gun that had been captured by Gen. Macomb to one whose 
name is one of the most distinguished in the State of New York. A. C. 
Piatt. I called on him in 1SG7, when I came to New York, and he 
was blind, and he said. " Stetson, I wonder if you are as good a 
Democrat as your grandfather was." I said, '' You mean my father." 
He said, '' No ; your grandfather : they have all been good Democrats." 
And that is true to the present time. 

So. he rounded here on this morning at 9 o'clock, and there he 
found Macdonough's fleet waiting for him. Now. Col. Koosevelt 
has well pointed out — I mean Col. Theodore Roosevelt m his history 
of the War of 1812. not the present Assistant Secretary of the 
Navy — that this w^as a battle in which an inferior force prevailed 
against a superior force, not as in Lake Erie — and I would not 
withdraw one of the laurels from the hero of Lake Erie — wdiere the 
conditions were reversed. Macdonough had 11 vessels against 16; 
SC) guns against 95: 882 men against 1.000. He also had the dis- 
advantage of the elements. The wind was then bloAving from the 
west and as he lay there he could not retreat, he could not draw 
back toward the shore; he would have had to beat against the enemy's 
face to do it, whereas, the British could withdraw at any moment 
with a favorable wind, if they saw fit. He had this other disad- 
vantage that if he moved to that western shore. Prevost's army and 
batteries being on the heights there, his fleet would be driven under 
the fire of the land batteries of the British. Indeecl, I might say 
that this was one of the causes for which court-martial proceedings 
were instituted against Prevost when he returned to England, be- 
' cause he had not shelled Macdonough's fleet from the shore, the 
question being whether the army was within the range of the guns. 
Prevost died while the court-martial was pending and so nothing 
e.ver came from it. 

{Immediately as they came in range Macdonough opened fire on 

DAawnie. Downie did nothing until he had come near Macdonough, 

M-men he opened fire from his ship, the Confiance, on the Saratoga^ 

,,ai|ul at the first fire he almost blcAv the Saratoga out of the water, 

'df^stroying 40 of its men in that first fire. Before the battle had 

^Ifasted 10 minutes Macdonough had been knocked senseless — now, I 

! am talking about the man — by the shattering of the spanker boom 

which had struck against his head and knocked him senseless to 

the deck, but it did not knock him out. He arose and resumed the 

fight and again he was knocked senseless. The head of his gun was 

blown off and struck him and knocked him down senseless. Did 

he givie up then? No. He resumed the fight. There is nowhere in 

the annals of war a hero such as he. As McMaster said in his 

history, " Now was the time for surrender." His whole ship was 

exposed on that side, without the possibility of return. The last 

gun had been broken and turned over into the hold. 



12 COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 

We have had bravery. Now for foresight. He had arranged 
what Ave call springs to a kedge anchor, which was thrown out here 
[indicating]. He gave the signal and the shij3 was turned and the 
other battery was brought to bear on the (Jonfiance and he nearly 
blew her out of the water. Downie was killed and they hauled down 
the flag. The Linnet and the other ships dropped their flags and the 
battle was over. Prevost saw what had happened there and he 
surrendered. 

That man was a hero, one of the greatest sea captains of his time, 
and, as Col. Roosevelt, Capt. Mahan, and Mr. McMaster all say, the 
greatest figure in our naval history until our Civil War. 

Now, I would like to know if that is not something that should be 
lodged in the minds, in the afi'ection, and in the memory of the Amer- 
ican people? We have asked our legislature for $125,000. I have 
here letters from the governor of the State, the speaker of the assem- 
bly, the president of the senate, and the leaders in both houses, all 
asking that this be done. The National Government appropriated 
$250,000 for the Perry victory celebration. AVe feel that the States 
of Vermont and New York, both of whom unite here in presenting 
this cause, may properly ask for the same amount. How Avill we use 
this? AVell, in part only for the celebration. AVe would be glad to 
have the whole of C-ongress come over, and we think it would be none 
too little for the Congress of the United States to take advantage of 
the opportunity and. either in a body or by its representatives, come 
to the celebration. I trust the chairman will be one, because we 
entertained him in New York for four years. I trust you will all be 
there, and I hope the celebration will be as much of a success as was 
the centenary of the Battle of Lake Erie one year ago. 
' We think' that where the head of the Cumberland Lighthouse is 
now there should be a big lighthouse, such as will be at Crown Point, 
where France will erect the monument " La France." We feel that 
a monument should be placed right at the site of the engagement. 
On the other side, right at the mouth of the river, there is a beautiful 
site which is appropriate for the purpose, and there, we think, the 
State of New York and the Federal Government should unite in 
building a monument to the combined service, the Army and the 
Navy, embracing a recognition of the efforts, if not the achievements, 
of tiie army under Gen. Macomb, who did all they could for their 
country. They did their duty as well as they possibly could. They 
had a "few thousand volunteers compared Avith the regulars of Wel- 
lington's. 

Our friends in Vermont very properly ask that there should h^ 
recognition given them, because Macdonough's fleet Avas built on 
Otter Creek near Vergennes. Vergennes Avas a city before there Avas 
any other city in that section. It was named after Benjamin Frank- 
lin's friend Vergennes. T remember the story that Avas passed on 
the streets. One day a fellow said, " Why is Vergennes a city ? *' 
And the all-Avise felloAv said, " You know that under the Constitution 
of the United States eA-ery State is entitled to one city, and Vermont 
built Vergennes." Burlington is queen city of Vennont, but Ver- 
gennes is the main city, tt has the advantage of being the site of 
this victory, and that is their claim for recognition. 

The Chairman. We are very much indebted <^o you, Mr. Stetson. 



COMMEMORATION OP BATTLE OF PLATTSBUEGH. 13 

Mr. Stetson. I would like to present to you this little pamphlet 
which embodies the story of the battle of Plattsburgh in concrete 
form. 

Senator Dillingham. I suppose those letters should go in the 
record as a part of your address. 

Mr. Stetson. This is the official pamphlet of the centenary com- 
mission. 

Senator Dillingham. I was referring to the letters from the gov- 
ernor of the State and various officials that you mentioned. 

Mr. Stetson. Well, I think they are all addressed to Senator 
O'Gorman and not to me. If he feels that they should go in the 
record, I am entirely willing to put them in. 

(The pamphlet referred to is as follows:) 

The Battle of Plattsburgh — Why its Centennial is to be Celebrated. 

Upon Sunday, September 11. 1814, at 20 minutes past 11 o'clock in the fore- 
noon, tbe United States of America became established as a v/orld power. 
Among the events which compelled such recognition none is more important 
than tbe decisive naval victory won by Commodore Thomas Macdonough on 
that fateful day on the waters of beautiful Champlain, at Plattsburgh. 

No other naval battle in our history has had a more profound effect upon our 
country's destiny. The influence since exercised by America in the world's 
progress in large measure may be traced to it. 

The heroism and sacrifices signalized then and also often during our struggle 
for independence, as well as iu later days, served to show to mankind what 
could be achieved by the individual inspired by patriotism and struggling to 
establish human rights as conceived by the forefathers of this Republic. 

Great as were the victories won by American heroes in previous naval en- 
gagements they fell short of the decisive importance which history has awarded 
to the final and complete victory that settled forever the momentous conflict 
in the Western Hemisphere. 

This crowning achievement of our Navy was accomplished by Macdonough. 
Thereafter the supremacy of democracy and the progress of its ideals and 
jjurposes in our country were never again contested by any foreign power. 
Their influence, which has spread throughout the world, has become the leaven 
of progress everywhere in the struggle for human rights, and nations, at that 
lime hostile to their existence, long since have come to recognize them as potent 
factors in their own national lives. 

Thus we find warrant for the honor our Nation and the State of New York 
are about to pay to the memory of this devout Christian gentleman— this naval 
hero first distinguished at Tripoli, this zealous young patriot — who on Septem- 
ber 11, 1814, near Valcour, where the British had won the first naval battle 
between fleets of English-speaking nations, led an American fleet to victory in 
the last naval battle between English-speaking nations. 

Recalling the well-night insurmountable obstacles overcome by him in build- 
ing and equipping his fleet, and his model report to his Government, we are 
impressed with his modesty and with the humility and reverence of his mind 
and also with the traits possessed by him in common with so many other great 
American patriots from Washington to Lincoln, an abiding trust in Almighty 
God, courage, resourcefulness, determination, generosity, and magnanimity 
of spirit. 

At the close of the battle his message to the Secretary of the Navy was: 

" Sir: The Almighty has been pleased to grant us a signal A'ictory on Lake 
Champlain in the capture of one frigate, one brig, and two sloops of war of 
the enemy." 

No boasting of what he or they had accomplished, although the building, 
equipping, and manning of an efRcient fleet within eight months in a wilder- 
ness, was little short of a miracle. 

Lake Ph-ie showed the advantage of having the odds on our side; Lake Cham- 
I)]ain, that skill, calm calculation, and preparedness can offset odds on the 
other side. 

Perrv's brilliant victory, September 10, 1813, snatched as if by magic from 
the jaws of defeat, was kn achievement of high order which well merited its 



14 COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBUEGH. 

patriotic celebration by. State and Nation during tbe past year, and the spleu 
did permanent memorial now being erected. Yet, important as it was, that 
victory did not end the war, but was followed by some of our most humiliat- 
ing reverses. 

Encouraged by her subsequent victories at different places. Great Britain 
planned an invasion from Canada, confident that its success would end the 
war in her favor and possibly would reestablish British rule in the United 
States. 

In pursuance of this plau the British Army, outnumbering ours four to one, 
marched upon Plattsburgh, and a superior British fleet, cooperating with the 
land forces, came up the lake from the north. These in combination were to 
crush out all opposition by destroying the American fleet on Lake Champlain 
and by capturing or scattering our land forces in the Champlain Valley. 
Thereupon the British Army was to proceed up the Champlain and down the 
Hudson to New York City, which it was planned to capture in cooperation with 
another strong British fleet. 

Macdonough's victory in Cumberland Bay, resulting in the destruction or 
capture of the entire British fleet, not only prevented the projected advance of 
the enemy, but caused the British Army to return to Canada to escape like 
disaster. 

The event was decisive, and the treaty of peace was signed three months 
thereafter, on Christmas eve, 1814. 

The same patriotic feeling that actuated the Nation in celebrating and com- 
memorating the victory of Perry at Put in Bay impels it in equally impressive 
manner to celebrate and by a fitting memorial to perpetuate the victory of 
Macdonough at Plattsburgh. 

Due recognition and honor for events and men great in our Nation's history 
attest and measure the greatness of the present. They supply inspiration and 
incentive for still nobler achievements. 

No fitting expenditure can be deemed amiss which tends to stimulate patriot- 
ism and deep appreciation of worthy deeds which made possible the Nation's 
existence and gave nobility to its national life. 

The Plattsburgh Centenary Commission has been appointed by the State of 
New York to " plan and conduct in the month of September, 1914, an appro- 
priate public celebration of the centenary of the Battle of Plattsburgh." The 
battle was fought on September 11, 1814, and the centennial celebration will 
be held September 6 to 11, 1914. 

THE BATTLE. 

The Battle of Plattsburgh was fought both on the land and on the lake. 

Prevost had a crack army of 14,000 veterans, while Macomb had compara- 
tively a mere handful of men. It was the purpose of Prevost to aid Downie by 
a land attack simultaneous with that on the water. 

The British fleet, which was superior to the American squadron, consisted of 
16 vessels, carried 95 guns and had about 1,000 men. The American flotilla 
consisted of 14 vessels of all classes, carrying 86 guns, with 882 men. Fire 
was opened by the Americans. It was returned by the British Conflance, but 
not until after she had come to anchor about 300 yards from the American line. 
Her first broadside killed or wounded 40 men, one-fifth of the force of the 
Saratoga. The engagement then became general. In an hour the whole star- 
board battery of the Saratoga was disabled. However, owing to the masterly 
prevision of Macdonough, she was enabled to swing around and to bring her 
port guns to bear upon the Conflance. This vessel also suffered severely. She 
lost her commander, Downie, and struck her flag after two and a half hours' 
flghting. The remainder of the British force were either taken or put to flight. 

The British loss was about 200, including prisoners; the American, killed and 
wounded, 112. The British lost all but 20 of the 95 guns they brought into 
action. Macdonough was twice knocked senseless. 

ERIE, CHAMPLAIN, TRAFALGAR. 

" But it will always be a source of surprise that the American public should 
have so glorified Perry's victory over an inferior foe and have paid c^ompara- 
tively little attention to Macdonough's victory against decided odds in ships, 
men, and metal. * * * Lake Erie teaches us the advantage of having the 
odds on our side; Lake Champlain, that, even if they are not, skill can still 



COMMEMOKATIOX OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBUKGH, 15 

counteract them." (Roosevelt in his "Naval War of 1812," describing the 
"Battle of Lake Erie.") 

Comparison with the battle of Trafalgar is similarly interesting. 

Lord Nelson's victory ended Napoleon's scheme for an invasion of England; 
Macdonough's victory ended the British scheme to regain her lost colonies by an 
invasion of New York and the cutting off of New England from the rest of the 
States. Nelson and Macdonough each fought a superior foe and each defeated 
his adversary with unsurpassed valor and courage. 

Midshipman Lee, in a letter to his brother, after the Battle of Plattsburgh, 
said : " There is one of our marines who was in the Trafalgar engagement with 
Lord Nelson who says it was a mere flea bite in comparison with it." 

OBJECT OF INVASION. 

" From information received and corroborated by the movements of the 
enemy, there is sufficient grounds of belief that one great object of his campaign 
was to penetrate, with his northern army, by the waters of Lake Champlain and 
the Hudson, and, by simultaneous attack with his maritime force on New York, 
to form a junction which should sever the communication of the States." (Gov. 
Tompkins in his address to the New York Legislature Sept. 27, 1814.) 

In^his geueral orders on September 14, after alluding to the designs of Pre- 
vost (the British commander) Gen. JNIacomb said: "He brought with him a 
powerful army and flotilla — an army amounting to 14,000 men, completely 
equipped and accompanied by a numerous train of artillery, and all the engines 
of war — men who had conquered in France, Spain, Portugal, the Indies, and in 
various other parts of the globe, and led by the most experienced generals of 
the British army. A flotilla, also superior to ours, in vessels, men, and guns, 
had determined at once to crush us both by land and water." 

"It was evident; notwithstanding that the release thereby of a large British 
army from service on the Continent would enable the common enemy to send an 
overwhelming force across the Atlantic that might crush the American armies 
and possibly reduce the States to British provinces ; their hopes and the limit 
of their wishes doubtless were that the changed aspect of foreign affairs and the 
consciousness of the great peril that might reasonably be apprehended would 
cause the administration to seek peace on any terms. They were mistaken, as 
the sequel will show." (Lossing's description of the Federal party's actions in 
his introduction to the invasion of the northern frontier by the British in the 
War of 1812—" Field Book of the War of 1812." u. 855.) 

THE battle's importance. 

" This lake, which had hitherto played but an inconspicuous part, was now 
to become the scene of the greatest naval battle of the war." (Roosevelt in 
his " Naval War of 1812." ) 

"The gallant Macdonough. with a much smaller force in men and guns than 
his antagonist, had by his skillful dispositions and brave defense, won an im- 
portant victory and completely disconcerted a deep-laid scheme of invasion." 
(Charles Morris in the "Great Republic," Vol. Ill, p. 45.) 

" To view it in abstract, it is not surpassed by any naval victory on record. 
To appreciate its result, it is perhaps one of the most important events in the 
history of our country." (Secretary of Navy Jones to Hon. Charles Tate, 
chairman of the Naval Committee of the Senate, Oct. 3, 1814.) 

" ' Tis not alone the brilliancy of your victory in a naval view, but its im- 
portance and beneficial results that will fix the attention and command the 
gratitude of your admiring country." (Secretary of Navy Jones to Comman- 
der Macdonough, Sept. 19. 1814.) 

" The country generally placed this victory by the side of that of Lake Erie. 
In the Navy, which is better qualified to enter into just estimates of force and 
all the other circumstances that enhance the merits of nautical exploits, the 
Battle of Plattsburgh Bay is justly ranked among the very highest of its 
claims to glory." (Cooper in his "History of the War of 1812.") 

" Macdonough in this battle won a higher fame than any other commander 
of the war. British or American. He had a decidedly superior force to contend 
against, the officers and men of the two sides being about on a par in every 
respect; and it was solely owing to his foresight and resource that he won the 
victory." (Roosevelt in "Naval War of 1812.") 



16 COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OP PLATTSBUEGH. 

" With the repulse of the British at Plattsburgh ended the most important 
military operations on the northern frontier of New York. Peace came a few 
months later." (Lossing in Harper's Weekly, 1804.) 

THE VICTORY DECISIVE. 

" The Battle of Lake Champlain, more nearly than any other incident of the 
War of 1812, merits the word 'decisive' — decisive not merely in relation to 
immediate military results, but in relation to political questions involved in the 
pending negotiations for jieace." (Capt. A. T. Mahan, U. S. N., in his "Sea 
Power in its Relations to the War of 1812.") 

"As long as illustrious events shall be embodied in history, so long will the 
victory on Lake Champlain, obtained under your auspices, command the respect 
of mankind." (Mayor DeWitt Clinton, of New York, to Connnodore Macdon- 
ough at a dinner given in the latter's honor some weeks after the battle.) 

" The splendid triumi)h obtained by the squadron under your command over 
a superior British force has secured to you an imperishable name in the annals 
of the age. * * * At no period of the late eventful contest were conse- 
quences so important dependent upon the fate of battles. A numerous and 
well-appointeni army of the enemy, composed of veteran troops, led by expe- 
rienced generals, and flushed with request conquests, penetrated our northern 
frontier, and by the aid of a formidable naval armament threatened to ad- 
vance into the bosom of our State. The storm of war was collected in one 
cloud and its course directed to one point. In that awful moment of suspense 
every hope was fixed upon your efforts to avert its fury, and the most sanguine 
expectations of your country were more than realized. By a masterly position 
you compelled the hostile tleet to approach your moorings to certain disadvan- 
tage. By the precision of your fire, the ]>romptness of your maneuvers, the 
discipline and spirit you had infused into your crews, and by your undaunted 
and deliberate valor, you gained a victory as signal, as decisive, and as im- 
portant as any inscribed upon the naval pillar of your country. You captured and 
destroyed almost the whole of the adverse squadron — you compelled the invad- 
ing army to retreat — you saved our territory from rapine, our border dwellings 
from pillage and destruction — their inhaliitants from banishment, captivity, 
or death." (Assemblyman William A. Deur in an address to Commodore Mac- 
donough at Hartford. Conn.. Feb. 13, 1817. on the occasion of the pi-esentation 
of a sword votefl to him by the State of New York.) 

" That the thanks of Congress be. and the same are hereby, presented to Capt. 
Thomas INIacdonough. and through him to the officers, petty officers, senmen, 
marines, and infantry serving as marines attached to the squadron under his 
command for the decisive and splendid victory gained on Lake Champlain on 
the 11th of September, 1814. over a British squadron of superior force." (Por- 
tion of resolution expressive of the appreciation of Congress of the gallant con- 
duct of Capt. Macdonough and his men, in awarding them gold and silver medals 
after the victory on Lake Champlain.) 

"The fight in Plattsburgh Bay was undoubtedly the greatest naval battle of 
the war, and the victory stamped jNIaedonough as the ablest sea captain our 
country produced down to the Rebellion." (From "History of the People of 
the United States," by John Bach McMaster, Vol. IV.. p. 68.) 

A CELEBRATION FOR ALL. 

The decisive result of this battle naturally and .iustly occasioned special re- 
joicing in the valley of Lake Champlain and in the Hudson Valley, thus relieved 
from war and from its horrid nlarms. Naturally and justly, also, this result 
was of momentous consequence to the whole country, particularly the IMiddle 
West, for it quieted forever the pending proposal to carve a neutral State out 
of territory now including the State of Indiana. 

In a larger and continuing significance the result also is justly an occasion for 
present general satisfaction on both sides. In the past year the Gettysburg 
semicentennial has brought to many on either side the vain regret that the de- 
cisive character of that titanic contest could not have been recognized without 
'^lelay and further useless loss of life and blood. As prolongation of the unhappy 
War of 1812 would have brought neither joy nor glory, all may now rejoice that 
the Battle of Plattsburgh was of final importance, and that it was then so re- 
garded by the peace commissioners. 



COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBUEGH. 17 

The magnanimity of Macdonough toward the memory of the gallant Downie 
and his fallen comrades has governed the people of Plattsburgh who have hon- 
ored and kept green their graves, annually including them within the tributes 
of Decoration Day. 

Without, then, disparaging the valor of the forefathers who here " jeoparded 
their lives in the breach," everyone, everywhere, may rejoice over the Battle 
of Plattsburgh and its final contribution to a century, and it may be hoped to a 
millenium, of international peace. 

PLATTSBURGH CENTENARY COMMISSION. 

Francis Lynde Stetson, chairman, 15 Broad Street, New York City. 
Thomas F. Conway, vice chairman, 32 Nassau Street, New York City, 
James A. Foley, chairman executive committee, 261 Broadway, New York 
City. 

Loren H. "White, treasurer, Delanson, N. Y. 

Charles J. Vert, secretary, Plattsburgh, N. Y. 

Salvatore A. Cotillo, 273 Pleasant Avenue, New York City. 

John Dorst, jr., Akron, Erie County, N. Y. 

James A. Emerson, Warrensburg, N. Y. 

Joseph H. Esquirol, 25 Crooke Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Irving I. Goldsmith, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 

John F. Healy, New Rochelle, N. Y. 

Henry Harmon Noble, Essex, Essex County, N. Y. 

Alexander W. Fairbauk, M. D., Chazy, N. Y. 

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. 

Henry M. Sage, Meuauds, N. Y. 

Rev. John P. Chidwick, D. D., St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, N. Y. 

Henry W. Hill, 471 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Howard D. Hadley, assistant secretary, Plattsburgh, N. Y. 

Senator Dilijngham. Mr. Chairman, we have a Vermont com- 
mittee here this morning the head of which is the Rev. Father Vezina, 
of Vergennes. 

Dr. Vezina. I jdeld to Mr. Stone. He will speak for the Ver- 
monters. 

STATEMENT OF MR. GEORGE W. STONE, PRESIDENT VERMONT- 
MACDONOUGH MEMORIAL COMMISSION, VERGENNES, VT. 

Mr. Stone. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, Ver- 
mont and New York have been neighbors for a good many years. 
There never has been a time, perhaps, when the representation of 
Vermont and New York has felt more neighborly than this morn- 
ing in the cause in which we are both interested. Vermont is a 
modest State, and perhaps the part we played in the Battle of Platts- 
burgh was a somewhat modest one. As Mr. Stetson has indicated, 
Macdonough's fleet was built on Vermont soil, of Vermont trees, 
cut in Vermont wilderness, the work of building it was done largely 
by Vermont workmen, and in the battle itself Vermont volunteers 
took an important part. We therefore are perhaps, in propor- 
tion of the size of the State as compared with New York, equally 
interested in the outcome of tliis bill that has been presented in the 
Senate and has come before this committee. The fleet was built 
at Vergennes on the Otter Creek, a name that we do not like very 
well, because it is the largest river in Vermont and worthy of a 
better name than "creek." But for historical reasons the name 
seems to have remained. The ships were built during the winter 
and with a great deal of dispatch and speed, and equipped with 

S. Kept. 471, 63-2 2 



18 COMMEMOKATIOF OF BATTLE OP PLATTSBURGH. 

guns and ammunition that was in large part manufactured at 
Vergennes. In the spring an attempt was made by the British to 
bottle up this fleet in the river somewhat in the way that a more 
recent bottling act was accomplished, at least with some success, 
although in this 1812 episode no success attended the efforts of the 
British, by reason of the brave resistance of Lieut. Cassin at the 
small fort at what was called Fort Cassin at the mouth of the river. 

Briefly, the fleet emerged into Lake Champlain and the battle was 
fought as Mr. Stetson has indicated. As I indicated at the outset, 
Vermont is modest but we are enthusiastic. We heartily indorse 
the position that New York takes in the matter. We feel that Lake 
Champlain is altogether too little known among the present-day 
citizenship of the United States. It is astonishing, I think, to find 
how many people know so very little about Lake Champlain. Now, 
Lake Champlain is the largest lake that is entirely in the United 
States. It is probably the most beautiful lake in the United States, 
as it is without question the most historic lake in the country. We 
feel that fit recognition should be given to Lake Champlain, and for 
that reason, as well as the others that have been mentioned, Vermont 
stands by the side and in back of New York. 

The Chairman. We will be glad to hear from anyone else, from 
New York or Vermont. 

STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS F. CONWAY, CHAIRMAN EXECUTIVE 
COMMITTEE, PLATTSBURGH CENTENARY COMMISSION. 

Mr. Conway. Mr. Chairman, I perhaps ought not to intrude my 
views at this late moment, because the historic event that we all seek 
to celebrate has been so well described and its effects and results 
on our history have been so forcibly stated by the gentlemen who 
preceded me that I would not attempt to take a moment of your time 
except for the fact that what I have to say springs more from per- 
sonal motives, although I am a member of tliis commission, and is 
largely prompted by the fact that the Champlain Valley was and is 
my home. I was there brought up. I believe there is not a nook, 
a corner, nor a portion of its history with which I am not familiar. 
Three or four years ago the early history of that locality in its 
colonial times was celebrated in a most impressive manner, and 
largely celebrated at the expense of our State, the State of New York. 
As the Chairman well knows, in colonial times the Champlain Valley 
was the contending point of differing civilizations, and the English 
form ultimately prevailed. Later it became the home of democracy. 

Recognizing those facts, the State of New York appropriated some 
years ago the sum of $125,000 to celebrate the events that took place 
there in colonial times, particularly on account of their great effect 
in developing our civilization in State and Nation later. The United 
States Government was not then appealed to to any great extent, but 
the sum of $20,000 was contributed to pay the expenses of distin- 
guished guests from Washington and abroad who honored us then 
with their presence, and our sister Republic of France took such an 
interest in the matter that she contributed that most magnificent 
work of art. La France. 

Now we come to the point when something of modern importance, 
something of a more immediate effect upon our history, is needed. 



COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 19 

We think, having stood the test of an analysis of 100 years of its 
effect not only upon York State but upon the history of the country, 
that the event should receive a fitting celebration and that there 
should be placed there a memorial that for all time will direct the 
mind of the youth of this country to an event of tremendous im- 
portance to the country, and to the courage and heroism there dis- 
played. If I thought that this celebration meant siniply a gather- 
ing of distinguished men and a week's exchange of views, I should 
not have devoted one hour of time to the matter; neither do I 
believe the distinguished chairman of the commission would have 
done so. But believing that it is of great importance, and believing 
that the time has come in our history, after a hundred years, when 
we should analyze and place events in positions of relative impor- 
tant^ to our history and our future, we find that here was one at 
leasu that met every test. 

There is not a historian of our country, there is not a man who 
knows the facts, that does not believe that the results of that engage- 
ment were among the most important in their effect upon our his- 
tory. As the chairman has said, no one wants to disparage or mini- 
mize the great victory of Perry at Put in Bay. The State of New 
York, least of all, does not want to minimize it. But yet we can 
not forget the fact that historians have commented upon, that there 
the advantage in men, in arms, and in ships was all on our side. 
In Champlain they were all against us. That shows what valor and 
determination can accomplish even under adverse circumstances. 

In connection with the victory of Macdonough there is a patriotic 
feeling that wells up in the hearts of everyone who thinks of it. 
Away back in the early days the first naval battle among English- 
speaking peoples took place within 3 miles of where Macclonough's 
victory took place. We were then defeated, but later on we reversed 
the situation. As I said before, New York State does not assume to 
minimize the Perry victory. Our State contributed to the celebration 
of that event in a fitting manner the sum of $150,000 by act of legis- 
lature. That was appropriated for the purpose of celebrating the 
anniversarj'^ of an event which did not take place within the borders 
of our State, but within the waters adjoining them. 

Recognizing the importance of such a celebration and recognizing 
the importance of placing memorials of great historical events 
where they will be expressive of our national appreciation, we 
think we should participate in this celebration and make it a national 
celebration. The State of New York will generously aid in this 
celebration, and I say to you, Mr. Chairman, that if my section of 
the State was as rich -in wealth or material things as it always has 
been in patriotic impulses and readiness to give, whether it be their 
blood or treasure, for public purposes, we would not be here, at least 
would not be here seeking aid from the National Government. We 
are largely an agricultural community. There are no large cities 
from which we can draw aid and assistance as we could in the Perry 
celebration, surrounded as it was by its wealth of resources. We 
are a farming population largely, and so is our sister State Vermont, 
to a large extent, and most of what we leave up there when we pass 
away is a reputation. The father leaves perhaps enough for his 
family to live on, perhaps it is not very large. You will find there 
in our system of graded schools, our normal schools, our churches, 



20 COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 

and in our charitable institutions the evidences of where our surplus 
wealth has been invested, and you will find that intelligence and 
patriotism have resulted from that method of expenditure. We 
have not enough left to properly memorialize this great event. 
There is not an institution in which our civilization to-day finds its 
best inspiration that does not flourish there. 

Now, we appeal to Congress because we are poor in that sense. 
We have a gi-eat Catholic summer school located within a mile of 
this place. We have across the lake in the city of Burlington the 
University of Vermont, one of the best institutions of learning in this 
country, so that within a brief circle of this spot more young minds 
are being formed and more characters are being formed than in any 
other similar circle in the United States. 

It is a very striking and singular thing — of course, this does not 
relate to the centenary commission — that when I go to New i'^ork, 
Washington, or elsewhere, this battle and all it meant, the sentiment 
attached to it, and its lessons, "which are interwoven with the very 
lives of the 3'oung men and ,young women of that valley, outside are 
practically unknown. It is to correct that, among other things, and 
to place there for all time to come a monument that will not only 
perpetuate the past but will point out the way in the future that we 
appeal to Congress to extend to us a helping hand to enable us to 
carry out that object. It is pretty hard to explain when you en- 
deavor to tell the youth of our country up there of the lessons to be 
learned from those times, when they say, " Why is it that it has not 
been commemorated ? Why is it that it has been neglected ? " Of 
course, our answer would be, " We lack the wealth to supply what 
ought to be supplied to erect a fitting and proper memorial." 

And, Mr. Chairman, that is why we are here. I regret I had to 
take so much of your time, but I wanted to give you a little local 
color and some of the motives that prompted me to come here and 
address you on this subject. We also realize the fact that to Ver- 
mont, too, is due credit for Avhat took place at that time, and she 
should receive credit with us in whatever assistance Congress may 
give us. 

STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK L. GREENE, A REPRESENTATIVE 
IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF VERMONT. 

Mr. Greene. Mr, Chairman, I do not appear here as a member of 
the Vermont commission, but as one who is very happily connected 
with it, because its interests are mine, too. I dare say that having 
had such a splendid exposition of the historical importance and the 
sentimental associations which commend this enterprise to Congress, 
it may be proper to perhaps suggest one other phase of it that, while 
it has no strong weight as aii argumentative proposition, nevertheless 
it is to my mind very closely associated with this very peculiar his- 
torical event which we seek to celebrate. I think, although I have 
never seen the idea brought out upon some substantial authority, you 
are going to agTee with me, after listening to the eloquent detail of 
the battle by Mr. Stetson, that it was perhaps the most unique battle 
in some respects in the history of the countrj'', because, in the first 
place, it was a combination of land and naval forces, on the one hand, 



COMMEMOEATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBUEGH. 21 

which is an unusual combination to fight a battle anywhere. In the 
second place, it is unique because it was the opposition of an unor- 
ganized and untrained democracy against the trained troops, seamen 
and landsmen, of Europe, and the untrained men won the victory. 
That was what we may call in our offhand way a neighborhood battle 
between the people of Vermont and New York on the one hand and 
the British regulars on the other. Our fathers and grandfathers went 
into that battle, leaving aside the ax, scythe, and plow, and went over 
to fight a neighborhood fight, and after the fight was over they came 
back to the farms and again took up the ax, the scythe, and the plow. 
That is one of the reasons why it has never received the distinction 
in history that it would have had if it had been a meeting of distin- 
guished organized forces on both sides. It was simply treated by 
our people as an obedience of the first law of nature, and they left 
the peaceful occupations that they were hoping to continue and went 
off to fight, and then came right back again and never celebrated their 
own victory and their own glory. 

From time immemorial — at least as far as we regard it in this coun- 
try — that grand old Lake Champlain, true to its name, had been the 
gateway to this country, and those men of 1814 were simply doing 
what their ancestors had been doing every now and then during the 
bloody days in the history of the wilderness from the time when the 
white man first taught the Iroquois the sound of gunpowder, and the 
sound of gunpowder has been echoing down through all the years 
since then in the history of that section of the country. I want to 
suggest that in so far as the State of Vermont is concerned in this 
matter, she recognizes with great respect and great pride that the 
celebration is destined to be in every respect a New York State 
affair, so far as its broad outlines are concerned. We only sug- 
gest that in as much as we furnished the shipyard, and our men 
built the ships, manned the vessels, and joined with the land 
forces in great numbers, that we are not immodest in asking Con- 
gress to officially recognize the fact that our little Green Mountain 
State had a finger in it too. And that being conceded, of course, it 
must follow that in order to enable us to carry on our part of this 
celebration, which we design to have on the site of that old shipyard 
and that old arsenal where the powder was manufactured and the 
shot was cast, we should have from Congress a modest sum for that 
purpose. 

The Chairman. What amount has the State of Vermont appro- 
priated ? 

Mr. Greene. I may say by way of explanation that the State of 
Vermont did not originally consider this as a national celebration. 
At first we intended merely to have a little celebration in the city of 
Vergennes, to erect a tablet memorial, and the legislature appropri- 
ated $4,000 for that purpose. After our legislature was through and 
had gone away, the idea occurred to us that with the aid of our great 
neighbor we might have a national celebration, wherefore our peo- 
ple regretted that they had only planned a little celebration. Learn- 
ing, too, that our friends were disposed to give us a share in the 
program, we now feel that we may supplement what we have already 
raised. The city of Vergennes has contributed $1,000 to add to the 
State's $4,000, and we are asking Congress now to allow us to partici- 



22 COMMEMOEATIOISr OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 

pate with New York, perhaps by an amendment to this bill to give 
us $15,000. The New York commission is quite willing that we 
should have that allotment of the sum. 

The Chairman. We are very much obliged to you, sir. 

STATEMENT OF EEV. JOHN P. CHIDWICK, D. D., YONKERS, N. Y. 

Dr. Chidwick. Mr. Chairman, there is a phase of the matter that 
has not been brought up as yet. I think we all recognize at the pres- 
ent time that there is a general disposition to do away with the 
memories of war and, so far as it is possible, to do away with war 
itself, and it is possible that just such a sentiment will interfere with 
a celebration of this character. 

While, of course, it may be unfitting for me, as a clergyman, to 
advocate anything in any way outside of that spirit, which seems to 
be so widely prevalent, still, I believe that when God gives us a 
country to protect we are unworthy of that country if we do not 
protect it, and the battle which we wish to memorialize was a decisive 
battle in a war for the protection of our country and to make it a 
free and independent country, such as all the nations of the world 
came to recognize it after the War of 1812. I think, down to the War 
of 1812, England looked upon us as a wayward child that needed a 
spanking to bring it home. It was the War of 1812 that decided 
our position and gave us our standing in the world. The war was 
brought about because we were forced to defend our rights and to 
teach our children the lesson that while we deprecate war and while 
we are thoroughly in sympathy with the spirit of the times which 
counsels the doing away of the useless slaughtering of human life, 
still, if God has given us a country to protect, we are unworthy of 
that country if we do not protect it. The War of 1812 was such a 
war for our protection. 

NoAv, there is another phase of the matter. I remember during our 
Spanish- American War the kindness that was shown by our officers to 
the Spanish officers who were taken prisoners. We had the first prisoner 
of the war and he was brought on board our ship. We took him at 
Matanzas. He sat at our table and we talked with him about the war 
and treated him most courteously. He was very much surprised; he 
did not laiow what had happened. He was anxious to see his wife 
and child. He had been on furlough to see his family and had not 
heard of the war, and we took him on board ship and held him as a 
prisoner, much to his surprise. Afterwards we sent him to Admiral 
Sampson and the admiral sent him ashore with a flag of truce. 

That was a beautiful sight. It was also a strilring thing at San- 
tiago when Admiral Phillips said to the sailors, " Don't cheer, boys ; 
those poor fellows are dying." These are all sentiments in the history 
of our modern wars. But there is not a more beautiful sentiment — 
teaching us to govern our passions, our resentment, and our anger 
and to look upon all those with whom we are at war with pity — than 
the sentiment of Macdonough, who, the previous day, had prayed to 
God for victory and after the battle sent word to Washington that 
" In the providence of God, the victory has fallen to us to-day," and 
then the. next day he gathered the dead of the English and Ameri- 
can Armies and laid them together to rest on the hillside in token of 



COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBUKGH. 23 

the peace that he wished to exist between the two great peoples of 
the world. 

To-day we are, of course, wishing that all English-speaking peoples 
should be united ; that is the wish on this side and on the other side. 
And where can we put a monument that will speak more eloquently 
that sentiment than on the spot where Macdonough, in his moment 
of victory, gathered together those whom he had fought and placed 
them side by side with his own men on the hillside? I believe that 
the people of Plattsburg, every Decoration Day, have gone out and 
decorated those graves. 

Why should this sentiment in any way act against the proposed 
celebration? Why should the sentiment of doing away with all 
things and memorials of war contradict this sentiment: That here, 
if every volume of the records of the war tragedies of the world is 
closed, is the concluding chapter, the last and most glorious chapter, 
where people who fought, and fought like tigers, during the moment 
of conflict, still were so Christianlike and so brotherlike that after 
the battle they were gathered together and laid to rest and honored 
by both peoples year after year on their Memorial Days. 

So, Mr. Chairman, I hope that this sentiment which might perhaps 
militate against this movement might not be permitted to do so, and 
I do sincerely hope that the movement will take on that national 
character, because while we love peace and deprecate war we must 
insist upon our people remembering this: That hateful as war may 
be, there are some circumstances when it is perhaps necessary; that 
the robber, the thief, the invader, the unjust man must not triumph; 
that justice must triumph, right must triumph, God must triumph, 
principle must triuniph, and for us not to protect and defend what 
is right and what is God-given renders us unworthy to be called 
Americans and Christians. 

And, Mr. Chairman, it is to perpetuate that sentiment that we ask 
for this contribution from our National Treasury to aid us in this 
celebration. 

The Chairman. I regret very much that my colleagues on the 
committee were unable to be present and hear the statements that 
have been made, but the hearing has been taken down, and the other 
members of the committee will read it. 
^ (Mr. W. E. Parkhurst, of Plattsburgh, N. Y., presented a petition 
signed by numerous residents of the city of Plattsburgh and vicinity, 
respectfully urging the making of a suitable appropriation for the 
celebration and a permanent memorial to commemorate the victory 
of Macdonough and Macomb at the Battle of Plattsburgh on Sep- 
tember 11, 1814. 

Mr. Howard D. Hadley, of Plattsburgh, N. Y., appeared on be- 
half of the Trades and Labor Assembly of Plattsburgh, N. Y., and 
presented the following letters:) 

Trades and Labor Assembly, 
Plattsbvrgh, N. Y., March 9, 1914. 
Mr. Howard D. Hadley, 

% Senator O'Gorman, Senate Offlce Building, Washington, D. C. 

Dear Mr. Hadley: In response to your letter of the Tth instant, addressed 

to Mr. Edward Werner, president of our Trade and Labor Assembly, we beg to 

assure you that the project of the centenary celebration here next September 

meets with the hearty approval of our organization without dissent of any 



24 COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBUBGH. 

kind. Tlie great importance of the event historically, and the expectation of 
the vast crowds of representative people it will bring hei-e, tend to make it one 
of the greatest celebrations in the history of this great Nation. As we are 
unable conveniently to send a delegate in person to represent us at this meet- 
ing on Thursday if you see fit we wish to authorize you to speak for us there 
at such meeting, with this letter as authority for such course. With sincere 
good wishes from our whole organization for the best success of this under- 
taking, we remain. 
Yours, truly, 

Edward W. Werneb, 

President of Committee. 
B. S. Morrill, 
Secretary of Com/mittee. 

Cadyville, Clinton County, N. Y., March 9, 191ff. 
Mr. H. D. Hadley, 

Assistant Secretary Plattshurgh Centenary Commission, 

Plattsburgh, N. Y. 
My Dear Mr. Hadley: Yours of the 7th instant is at hand. 
I am sorry we did not know of the hearing at Washington at the time of 
our Pomona meeting last Thursday. We would have liked to have sent a rep- 
resentative. But it is impossible on such short notice 

However, I deputize you to represent the Pomona Grange, of Clinton County. 
N. Y., at the hearing. I will stand behind you and support you as we are all 
deeply interested in this movement to bring about fitting recognition of the 
Battle of Plattsburgh, one of the real decisive battles of our history. 
Yours, vei-y respectfully, 

W. S. White, 
Master Pomona Grange, of Clinton County, N. Y. 



Plattsburgh. X. Y., March 10, 191/^. 
Howard D. Hadley, 

Hotel Willard, Washington, D. C: 
The Women's Civic League wish to acknowledge your letter and say that we 
deeply regret not being able to send a representative to the meeting Thursday. 
We wish you the best success and will do everything in our power to further 
the interests of the celebration. 

Marie P. Booth, 
President Plattsburgh Women's Civic League, Plattsburgh, N. Y. 

LETTERS TO SENATOR ELIHU ROOT. 

The Chairman. The following letters addressed to Senator Elihu 
Root will be incorporated in the report of the hearings : 

Assembly Chamber, State of New York, 
Albany, March 10, 1914- 
Hon. Elihu Root, 

United States Senate. Washington. D. C. 
Dear Senator : Even in these days, when in the State of New York we are 
striving at economy, all seem to be agreed that a bill should be passed in the 
legislature this year, and approved by the governor, appropriating $125,000 
toward the Plattsburgh Centenary Celebration. This must be done, if at all, 
this year, as the hundredth anniversary is to be celebrated on September 11. 
New York State is more interested than any other, but it is of course a national 
proposition as well, and we are making our appropriation at this time feeling 
that the Federal Government will do its share, .iust as it did with reference to 
the Perry celebration. 

I have been requested to write you by Mr. Howard D. Hadley, assistant sec- 
retary of the Plattsburgh Centenary Commission, urging you to do what you 
can to provide a Federal appropriation. 

With kind regards, I am, very sincerely, yours, 

Harold J. Hinman. 



COMMEMOEATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBUEGH. 25 

Assembly Chamber, State of New York, 

„ „ ^ Albany, March 9, 191Jf. 

Hon. Elihu Root, 

Senate Chamber, Washington, D. C. 
My Dear Senator : The State of New York proposes to appropriate $125,000 
for the celebration of a permanent memorial commemorating the Battle of 
Plattsburgh. 

In company with Chairman Francis Lynde Stetson and Assistant Secretary 
Hadley, of the Plattsburgh Centenary Commission, I saw Gov. Glynn this morn- 
ing, and he has agreed to sign the bill. The bill is now in the senate finance 
committee, and Senator Frawley has agreed to report it out at once. It will 
be passed promptly by the senate. Speaker Sweet, Majority Leader Hinman, 
and Minority Leader Smith are all heartily in favor of the bill, and there is 
not the slightest doubt but what it will become a law within a few days. 

New York State hopes and expects that Congress will .do as well for its 
memorial commemorating Macdonough's victory as was done for Penny's 
victory. 

With high respect, I remain, very truly, yours, 

A. Macdonald, 
Chairman Committee on Ways and Means. 



The Senate of the State of New York, 

„ „ T, Albany, March 10, 1914. 

Hon. Elihtt Root, . ./> . ^ 

Senate Chamber, Washington, D. C. 

My Dear Senator: The legislature of this State is now putting through a 
bill appropriating $125,000 for a celebration and permanent memorial com- 
memorating the Battle of Plattsburgh. 

The bill has been introduced in the senate by Senator Foley and is now in 
the senate finance committee, and Senator Frawley has agreed to report it out 
at once. It will be passed promptly by the senate. Gov. Glynn has agreed to 
sign the bill. Speaker Sweet, Majority Leader Hinman, and Minority Leader 
Smith are all heartily in favor of the bill and there is not the slightest doubt 
that it will become a law within a few days. 

We hope and expect that Congress will appropriate the same amount for the 
memorial commemorating Macdonough's victory as was done for Perry's 
victory, viz, $250,000. 

With warmest personal regards, I remain, very truly, yours. 

James A. Emerson. 



Assembly Chamber, State of New York, 

Hon. Elihu Root, ^'^«"^' ^^«''^'^ ^' ^^^^'- 

Washington, D. C. 
My Dear Senator : I beg to address you at this time in the interest of a 
bill pending in Congress known as Senate bill No. 3662. Our State is about 
to appropriate, for the celebration of the centenary of the Battle of Plattsburgh, 
$125,000. I am reliably informed that the governor is favorably committed to 
this bill, and it is exceedingly necessary that Congress take prompt action on 
the measure providing Federal assistance in this celebration that the plans 
and specifications may be made at the earliest date possible that the under- 
taking may prove a success. 

May I ask for your support and the best eflrorts for an early and favorable 
consideration on this measure, and remain. 
Yours, very respectfully, 

T. C. Sweet, 

LETTERS TO SENATOR JAMES A. O'GORMAN. 

The Chairman. The following letters addressed to Senator O'Gor- 
man will be printed in the record : 

State of New York, Executive Chamber, 

Albany, March 10, 191J,. 
Hon. James A. O'Gorman, 

United States Senate, Washington, D. C. 
My Dear Senator O'Gorman : I take pleasure in herewith introducing to you 
Mr. Howard D. Hadley, secretary of the Plattsburgh Centenary Commission, 



26 



COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF PLATTSBUEGH. 



Iht PitTtcK*'^ "",5 ^^'u' ^.''^''''' '^" aPPi-opriatiou of $250,000 from Congres 
the Plattsburgh celebration and permanent memorial '-ongre. 

Historians generally agree that the Battle of Plattsburgh was the ev, 
naval batt e of the war, and that by his victory MaSonough Xmp^ hh 
as one of the greatest sea captains which our country has JrodS 

I hope that Congress will see its way clear to enact a law making this a, 

pnation^^and I beg to add my assurances that so far aHhe mSter s ir 

power. New York State will also add a substantial appropSatSn 

very smcerely, yours, 

Martin H, GLY^ 



State of New York, 
Lieutenant Governor's Room 

Hon. James A. O'Gorman, ^^^"^^' ^^^''^^^'V 9, 19. 

United States Senate, Washington, D. C. 

vnm.'^'i^^t'' l''^-™^ ^ ''"^ ^^^'^^ the' liberty at this time of asking you tols 
jour good ofBces to secure favorable action on the bill which you have ir 
duced m the United States Senate appropriating $250,000 for the estabhshr- 
of a proper memorial to Thomas Macdonough at Plattsburg, N. Y Sen- J 
fnSnS?rf-n^-^ ^?i? '"i^^ f°''^ ^'^'^ Plattsburg Centenary' Commission 
SdP^ thn? Lw vn...^l/'/''^^^*"'^ ''].".'^^ ^^" ^"^ appropriation of $150,00.,. 
ordei that New York State may participate with the Federal Governmenli 
the erection of a suitable memorial to this man and the men who fougS 
gallantly under him on this historical occasion J-ougnu 

Practically every historic spot in the country has received recognition 

S'fh^i'Ty ^^ ^^M^'^'Tf- ^^'''^''^ '''■' ^''^t^^'^' '^"<1 I fi^^^ly believe that the pe( 
of this State and the Nation owe this small tribute to these men who hac 
much to do with making this country what it is to-day. 

With the hope that you will do everythting possible to secure favorable c 
sideration of this measure, I am, 
^^ery sincerely, yours, 

Robert Magnei 

The Senate of the State of New York, 

TT -r . r^-^ Alhany, March 10, 191J, 

Hon. James A. O'Gorman, ^ 

United States Senator, Washington, D. G. 
My Dear Senator: I hope you will be able to secure the speedy passage 
the bill introduced by you providing for a memorial to Thomas Macdonough 
The authorities in our State have all agreed to an appropriation of $125 
and the Government's participation should be proportionate. ' 

Very truly, yours, 

James A. Foley 
(Thereupon the committee adjourned.) 

o 



W46 



